Well…whatever I was expecting, it surely wasn’t this… 
Can I just thank everyone who contributed to this new thread, there are some absolute gems among the posted pic’s! Many thanks indeed!
New Merc, with SLT clutch…and extra detachable axle made by Titan…
I came across this site on flickr. This photographer, Mike Brocklebank, has quite a collection photos - including heavies.
Here is one of a WIND TURBINE TRANSPORT - WIND TURBINE TRANSPORT | Flickr
ChrisArbon:
0Moving house.
They seem to keep surprising me with those “high tech” solutions… 
Rikki-UK:
Did someone say SLT?
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Nice one Rikki, ta mate!
Drove one yourself already?
jsutherland:
I came across this site on flickr. This photographer, Mike Brocklebank, has quite a collection photos - including heavies.Here is one of a WIND TURBINE TRANSPORT - WIND TURBINE TRANSPORT | Flickr
Cheers Herr Johnny
Explore Transport, quite a new name in the industry, but with a lot of knowledge and experience, most of them have worked for Heanor’s…
pv83:
Nice one Rikki, ta mate!Drove one yourself already?
Not in real anger 
Went to the launch of the SLT in Stuttgart and to the post Launch press driving days, Held on an old East German Tank testing ground, that’s where those pictures are from - too old now to be doing it for real
Got to say at 120 tonnes it did the job with ease, but for me the major thing is the move away from a torque converter to the TRC. Being able to slow to a stop on a hill and hold it just using the accelerator , then being able to let it roll backwards down the hill, and still just using the accelerator slow it to a stop and move off forward is something else, I liked the fact at the flick of a couple switches you could make it work like a conventional torque converter allowing it to creep. I said in my write up for Commercial Motor that the TRC was a game changer in heavy haulage - and that Mercedes would only build to order, and each truck would be custom built for the customers specific operation requirements _ given that Mercedes didn’t expect to sell more than a 100 in the first year and in fact have built and sold many more than even they expected
pv83:
Explore Transport, quite a new name in the industry, but with a lot of knowledge and experience, most of them have worked for Heanor’s…
Surely thats not the same explore transport (stobrat /Laing o’rourke) pay peanuts get monkeys that we see already,god help us all. Also makes a nice change to see Reid freight without seeing the driver chasing his truck down the road 
DISPATCHER:
Last photo Volvo looks to have been taken in Joe Sullivans yard at BEDHAMPTON ■■
Sorry dont know DISPATCHER !
Rikki-UK:
pv83:
Nice one Rikki, ta mate!Drove one yourself already?
Not in real anger
Got to say at 120 tonnes it did the job with ease, but for me the major thing is the move away from a torque converter to the TRC. Being able to slow to a stop on a hill and hold it just using the accelerator , then being able to let it roll backwards down the hill, and still just using the accelerator slow it to a stop and move off forward is something else, I liked the fact at the flick of a couple switches you could make it work like a conventional torque converter allowing it to creep. I said in my write up for Commercial Motor that the TRC was a game changer in heavy haulage - and that Mercedes would only build to order, and each truck would be custom built for the customers specific operation requirements _ given that Mercedes didn’t expect to sell more than a 100 in the first year and in fact have built and sold many more than even they expected
Turbo Retarder Clutch (TRC).
The wear-free Turbo Retarder Clutch combines the functions of a hydrodynamic start-up clutch and a primary retarder in a single component. The engine-speed retarder supplies up to 720 kW of brake power directly from low speeds, is finely controllable via 5 levels on the steering-column lever and reduces brake wear. Designed for extreme loads, it is precisely matched to Mercedes PowerShift 3 and the electronic engine management system.This contributes to a high level of driving comfort and reduces fuel consumption in comparison to conventional torque converter solutions. It delivers particularly high power for moving off while also enabling responsive manoeuvring at low revs and full torque for as long as is necessary.
Bit of extra info for the tech geeks among us
You’re never too old to learn new things Rikki, or so I was told by a wise man…
Haven’t had a go in one myself, but others who’ve worked with those new Merc’s are saying it’s much better then the “old” torque converter, Mercedes did a grand job with introducing that on the market, seems they sell them by the dozen…
